Nationwide — Hachikosela Muchimba, a former USPS worker from Washington, D.C., has been convicted for stealing practically $1.7 million in tax refund checks over three years, utilizing the cash to fund luxurious journeys and strip membership visits. He faces a long time in federal jail when sentenced in August.
Muchimba, 44, used his place as a postal employee to steal virtually 100 U.S. Treasury tax refund checks from his mail route. He altered the checks, changing the recipient’s identify together with his personal, and deposited them into seven financial institution accounts beneath his management. Investigators discovered 98 stolen checks totaling $1,697,909.52, together with one deposit of $415,173.53.
In accordance with NBC News, Muchimba spent the stolen cash on a lavish way of life. In July 2022, he splurged $14,532.94 on the ultra-exclusive Bulgari Resort Bali, the place villas with non-public swimming pools and private butlers price over $1,300 per evening. Prosecutors revealed he additionally spent closely at luxurious inns and gents’s golf equipment.
Muchimba’s scheme started unraveling in January 2023 when one sufferer observed their $14,000 refund examine had been cashed, however not by them. The identify and handle on the deposit matched Muchimba’s particulars, which the sufferer acknowledged from a vacation card.
Surveillance footage captured Muchimba in his USPS uniform depositing stolen checks. Financial institution information additional confirmed the fraud. He was indicted on 20 counts, together with mail theft and financial institution fraud. Now convicted, he awaits sentencing in August, the place he may face a long time in jail.
